Screamin’ Eagles ride coming to Great Escape in 2013

Six Flags, the company that owns the Great Escape amusement park in Queensbury, said Thursday that it will add a new ride called the Screamin’ Eagles next spring.

The new ride was extremely popular during the 1940s and 1950s and was originally created as a pilot training device since riders can control their own “flyer,” which spins suspended on cables attached to the ride, which is designed for both young and old visitors.

Company officials said the decision to choose the Screamin’ Eagles is part of the Great Escape’s five-year plan, which is based on customer surveys and decisions by the local management team.

“Staying true to our promise to deliver something new every year we will keep our loyal families and thrill seekers excited about coming back for another Great Escape season,” said Don McCoy, who is the park president of Great Escape. “Screamin’ Eagles will add a new element to the region’s best theme park.”

Although the company does not reveal the cost of individual ride, the company says it spend about 9 percent of its annual revenue on capital expenses such as rides.

The company has $1 billion in annual revenue, so its total capital spending each year is roughly $90 million a year at its 19 parks, including one in Mexico and one in Montreal. The rest are in the United States.

Six Flags, which has turned around its operations after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2009 and 2010, makes it a priority to add new rides and shows each year to generate excitement among its visitors.

On Thursday the company announced new rides and shows at all of its parks during a conference call with journalists from both newspapers and more industry-focused publications such as Roller Coaster Magazine.

To see video of the new rides, including the Screamin’ Eagles ride at Great Escape, click here.

Six Flags CEO Jim Reid Anderson, who is featured in that link, is a showman of sorts who holds what may be the most entertaining conference calls of any public company. He often talks about which rides he has gone on and urges reporters to try out the rides for themselves.

“I do hope you feel the excitement,” Reid Anderson said.

This year, the major additions to Great Escape included a “free fall” water slide and a racing water slide ride (photo below).

New water slides at Great Escape

If you know the park’s layout, the Screamin’ Eagles will be located Fest Area by Alice in Wonderland. Six Flags said that other new additions for 2013 will be revealed in the future.

A season pass for 2013 costs $62.99 per person, although the cost goes down if you buy more than three at a time. General admission is $51.99, although buying tickets in advance can save you considerable money.

Larry Rulison

3 Responses

Place is a rip off—save your money. They charge a crazy amount for admission and the rides and park are no good. that place has completly change from when I was a kid. ghost town is completly a ghost town. the place has really gone down hill since six flags took it over.

At least it’s not another water ride. I wish they could get a new coaster, but from what I understand, because I used to work there, they want to keep it a “family” park, so we probably won’t be seeing any new roller coasters. I’m hoping that has changed.